2 arrested in string of burglaries in Columbia County

FORT WHITE, Fla. - Columbia County deputies arrested a man and a woman Thursday in connection with a string of burglaries in Fort White and High Springs.

Johnnie Pate, 35 and Brandi Moneyhan, 29, are charged with burglary to an unoccupied dwelling, trespassing in a structure or conveyance, grand theft and possession of drug equipment. They're being held without bond, and additional charges are pending as evidence is processed and linked to other cases, investigators said.

Deputies said the ongoing investigation began in mid-March when a home on Southwest Boulder Glen in Fort White was burglarized. During the initial report, deputies noted that a suspicious vehicle had been seen in the area by the victim prior to the break-in.

Detectives followed up the case and received information from the High Spring Police Department that they too were working similar cases. The Sheriff's Office and Police Department shared information and developed suspects based on both agencies' investigations.

The suspects identified had a car that matched the description of the vehicle seen by the victim in March, investigators said.

Detectives said they located the suspects in Columbia County and subsequently arrested them. A search warrant was executed on their home on Southwest Rock Way, and some of the items taken were recovered, detectives said.

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